Human Genome rejects GlaxoSmithKline's $2.59B bid

ROCKVILLE, Md. 
Biotech drugmaker Human Genome Sciences Inc. has rejected an unsolicited $2.59 billion takeover bid by GlaxoSmithKline PLC, the British pharmaceutical giant that spent nearly two decades helping the smaller company bring its first drug to market.

Rockville, Md.-based Human Genome Sciences said Thursday the offer undervalues the company and that it would explore other options, which could include a potential sale of the company. It invited GlaxoSmithKline to participate in its exploratory process.

GlaxoSmithKline offered $13 per share, which is an 81 percent premium to Human Genome's closing price on Wednesday of $7.17 per share. Human Genome currently has about 199.1 million outstanding shares, according to FactSet.

Glaxo CEO Andrew Witty said he was disappointed with the offer's rejection.

"We believe there is clear strategic and financial logic to this combination for both companies and our respective shareholders - and that now is the appropriate time in the evolution of our relationship for our two companies to combine," Witty said in a statement. Glaxo said a combination of the two companies would help the company save $200 million in expenses by 2015.

Analysts have speculated for months that Glaxo might try to buy its partner.

Glaxo and Human Genome Sciences currently split sales of the injectable biotech drug Benlysta, which made headlines last year as the first new drug approved for lupus in 50 years. Sales have been underwhelming since the drug launched in March, with monthly revenue averaging $11 million. Still, some analysts believe the drug could eventually grow into a billion-dollar blockbuster in coming years due to its large market and price tag. More than 200,000 U.S. lupus patients could benefit from the drug, which costs $35,000 per year.

Lupus causes fibrous tissue and inflammation of internal organs, skin rashes and joint pain. Most of Benlysta's benefit came from relieving muscle inflammation rather than treating the underlying disease.

Glaxo's takeover bid suggests the company is confident in continued growth of Benlysta and two other experimental drugs for diabetes and heart disease. Human Genome Sciences' only other approved product is the anthrax treatment Abthrax, which it sells to the U.S. federal government for stockpiling.

Human Genome Sciences was founded in 1992 by Harvard professor William Haseltine. The company created a stir in scientific and investment circles with plans to develop treatments based on identifying and sequencing thousands of human genes. However, none of the company's early experiments panned out.

The company originally tested Benlysta as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis after its discovery in 1996. Glaxo exercised an option from an agreement between the companies that allowed it to co-develop and co-promote the drug. After reporting lackluster results from a 2005 arthritis study, the companies turned their attention to lupus.

When a mid-stage trial in lupus patients failed to meet researchers' goals in 2006, many analysts wrote the drug off and downgraded Human Genome's stock. But when scientists reanalyzed the data they found that the drug helped block the antibodies that cause lupus symptoms in a subset of patients.

Human Genome said Thursday that it has asked for more information from Glaxo, which is based in the United Kingdom, on products that are in its clinical pipeline. Human Genome has substantial financial rights in some of those products.